Preview — Out of Balance by Angela Lam Turpin

Out of Balance

Former stay-at-home wife and mother, Beverly Mael, turns her life upside down in "Out of Balance," a hilarious new novel about bank shenanigans and underground cyber societies. Caught between her husband, the ultimate prankster, and her boss, the charmingly seductive President and CEO of Vine Valley Bank, Beverly struggles to keep her husband's secret and help her boss's bFormer stay-at-home wife and mother, Beverly Mael, turns her life upside down in "Out of Balance," a hilarious new novel about bank shenanigans and underground cyber societies. Caught between her husband, the ultimate prankster, and her boss, the charmingly seductive President and CEO of Vine Valley Bank, Beverly struggles to keep her husband's secret and help her boss's blind ambition without losing her marriage or her job. Floundering through dictation during the day and falling asleep in her dinner at night, Beverly needs to get away from it all. But a surprise date turns sour when Beverly discovers her unemployed husband has developed a computer program that can change the world-for better or worse. To complicate matters, the bank's president keeps lavishing praise on Beverly, giving her the attention she desperately craves from home. Armed only with a gift for numbers and a steadfast faith in God, Beverly must stop her husband's pact with the cyber underworld and uncover the truth about World Bank's false profit before it's too late....more

When stay-at-home mom Beverly Mael and her husband Eric change roles, their lives seem topsy turvy. Completely out of balance. Eric does well as Mr. Mom, but he constantly works on his computer, trying to develop software that can protect cyber systems. But occasionally, his prankster side takes him onto slippery slopes.

Beverly's new job at the bank is as the receptionist, but she soon attracts her boss Frank's attention with her ability to spot problems with balance sheets and numbers, and earnWhen stay-at-home mom Beverly Mael and her husband Eric change roles, their lives seem topsy turvy. Completely out of balance. Eric does well as Mr. Mom, but he constantly works on his computer, trying to develop software that can protect cyber systems. But occasionally, his prankster side takes him onto slippery slopes.

Beverly's new job at the bank is as the receptionist, but she soon attracts her boss Frank's attention with her ability to spot problems with balance sheets and numbers, and earns a promotion. She also finds herself developing a growing attraction for Frank.

A funny, sometimes frightening journey takes Bev and Eric down unexpected roads as they struggle to find a new balance. What will Eric do in order to make a splash in the cyber world? Will his prankster antics get him in trouble or will he attract the right kind of attention? And will Beverly succumb to Frank's charms, or will she discover inner strengths she wasn't sure she had?

The characters in "Out of Balance" felt like real people. So much so that I had an emotional reaction to them. I didn't like Frank's behavior at times, with his constant use of the term "babe" when addressing Bev. And Eric's pranks made me want to smack him upside the head at times. Beverly's very real and human reactions to these men made her into someone I wanted to see succeed. Definitely a five star read.

This was such a great read - and a solid 3.5 stars for me! The main character, Bev, is struggling. Struggling with being back in the workforce after being a stay at home mom. Struggling to find balance in her personal life. Struggling to be taken seriously at work and prove she's not just a pretty face. The relationships are complicated, but very believable. I love how the author had Bev's boss Frank whistle, sing and listen to a variety of music. I also liked how current concerns were worked inThis was such a great read - and a solid 3.5 stars for me! The main character, Bev, is struggling. Struggling with being back in the workforce after being a stay at home mom. Struggling to find balance in her personal life. Struggling to be taken seriously at work and prove she's not just a pretty face. The relationships are complicated, but very believable. I love how the author had Bev's boss Frank whistle, sing and listen to a variety of music. I also liked how current concerns were worked into the story (cybercrimes, the banking crisis, the bad economy) without overtaking the story. I would definitely recommend it to friends!...more

"I was rooting for Bev the whole read as anyone can relate to her situation. All of us would want to make it just to prove to our loved ones we can do the job. I even like Frank for his character in the book...I think this is a must read. I enjoyed it."

Angela Lam Turpin is the author of the novels Legs, Blood Moon Rising, Out of Balance and the short story collection, The Human Act and Other Stories.

Praise for THE HUMAN ACT AND OTHER STORIES:

Lam gets inside the heads of a large variety of characters and I felt a connection to each one. Great read!--Meg Sevrens

Praise for OUT OF BALANCE:

"With a bit of faith, one overworked career woman and housewiAngela Lam Turpin is the author of the novels Legs, Blood Moon Rising, Out of Balance and the short story collection, The Human Act and Other Stories.

Praise for THE HUMAN ACT AND OTHER STORIES:

Lam gets inside the heads of a large variety of characters and I felt a connection to each one. Great read!--Meg Sevrens

Praise for OUT OF BALANCE:

"With a bit of faith, one overworked career woman and housewife has to save the world on top of everything else. OUT OF BALANCE is a fun read that will resonate well with many overworked women."--MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

Praise for LEGS:

"With fevered descriptions of designer clothes, plenty of Sonoma County references and a funny story that steams along in the swoon of a Jackie Collins boiler, LEGS is a hoot that could easily make for a pleasant hour's read at the beach." --Gretchen Giles, THE BOHEMIAN magazine

Praise for BLOOD MOON RISING:

"Four Stars! This is a must read for those who love action, romance, and a good tale."--The Pen and Muse Book Reviews

"The book was exciting and well-written. Valkyrie truly loves her son."--Kathy Johnson from TCM Reviews

"Nice to see the main character of Valkyrie (the female vampire) having doubts and being scared instead of the usual vamp female who gets every man she sees."--Mistress Bella Reviews